Page 213 of Those Who Are Bound

“Don’t try to convince me you’re evil.” His voice was low, implacable; irritated. “It’s on the same bullshit level of ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’”

Leaning in, she said into his ear, a flashback to the evening before, “It’s not a challenge. It’s a reality.” She shifted. “If you think I’m hurting you now…”

“Elliott—”

“I can’t bear the thought of it. So please, Jonah. Don’t make me.” She slipped from his hold, holding his confused look. “I said it was for you. I meant it.”

He came off his stool, facing her. “You need to do better than that.”

“Remember the other men I told you about?”

His nostrils flared; he really didn’t like them. She loved that he still wanted to defend her against men he’ll never meet.

“I’m trying to keep you from becoming like them.”

Now his jaw tensed. She’d insulted him. “How many times do I need to tell you that I’m—”

“I know. You’re not that man. But you would be.”

“You underestimate me.”

Pushing up on her toes, she brushed her lips lightly against his, her eyes locked on his. After a sweet, brief kiss that warmed her soul and broke her heart, she whispered, “No. You underestimateme.”

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